White House releases beer recipe

In response to public pressure, the White House released the recipe for two of its home brew recipes on Saturday.

In a blog post on the White House website, executive chef Sam Kass explained how the White House came to brew its own beers.

"Inspired by home brewers from across the country, last year President Obama bought a home brewing kit for the kitchen. After the few first drafts we landed on some great recipes that came from a local brew shop," Kass wrote. "We received some tips from a couple of home brewers who work in the White House who helped us amend it and make it our own. To be honest, we were surprised that the beer turned out so well since none of us had brewed beer before."

"As far as we know the White House Honey Brown Ale is the first alcohol brewed or distilled on the White House grounds. George Washington brewed beer and distilled whiskey at Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson made wine but there's no evidence that any beer has been brewed in the White House," Kass wrote.

Interest in the recipe for the beers — a honey ale and a honey porter — culminated in a group of transparency advocates and home brewing enthusiasts launching a petition on the White House website for the recipe. A separate beer enthusiast filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the recipe.